Academy Acknowledges 'The Vaccine War' Film for Permanent Library Collection

MUMBAI: "The Vaccine War," a film directed by Vivek Agnihotri, might not have made a significant impact at the box office, but it has certainly garnered attention. The latest development reveals that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has extended an invitation to include this cinematic creation in their prestigious library.

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri enthusiastically shared this news on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "I am proud that the script of #TheVaccineWar #ATrueStory has been invited and accepted in the ‘Academy Collections’ by the library of http://Oscars.org. I am happy that for hundreds of years more and more serious people will read this great story of Indian superheroes."

He accompanied his announcement with a screenshot of an email from the Academy, expressing their interest in acquiring a copy of the screenplay for the permanent core collection of the library.

"The Vaccine War" features an ensemble cast including Nana Patekar, Anupam Kher, Raima Sen, Pallavi Joshi, and Sapthami Gowda in lead roles. The film is a tribute to the unwavering dedication of the medical community and scientists who achieved the remarkable feat of developing the COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin, within a mere seven months during the height of the pandemic. The narrative draws inspiration from the book 'Going Viral' authored by Prof Balram Bhargava, the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Upon its release on September 28, "The Vaccine War" raked in a modest sum of Rs 1.3 crore on its opening day. It faced competition from other releases, including the comedy-drama 'Fukrey 3' and Raghava Lawrence and Kangana Ranaut's 'Chandramukhi 2.' Nevertheless, the film accumulated an impressive total of around Rs 13 crore at the worldwide box office.

Vivek Agnihotri, the director, shared his motivation for this project, stating, "When 'The Kashmir Files' was postponed during the Covid lockdown, I started researching this film. We collaborated with scientists from the ICMR and NIV who made our indigenous vaccine a reality. Their story of relentless struggle and sacrifice left a profound impact on us. As we delved deeper into our research, we discovered how these scientists faced a multifaceted battle, not only from foreign agencies but even from within our own country. Despite these challenges, we emerged victorious by developing the fastest, most cost-effective, and safest vaccine. I felt compelled to tell this story so that every Indian can take pride in their nation."

ALSO READ: Bihar Train Mishap: Meghalaya Establishes Helpline for Affected Passengers

ALSO WATCH: